D2 S8 ramblings

[rs32]

battery is new in the last 2 months

the wheels mystery continues, the spare is audi 4D0 601 025 AE which is a 20" and from a google search suggests S8 fitment but the design is different to the FE !

suspect I'll end up trying to source a set of 18's all round

[ainarssems]

Tyre pressures - mine were a bit low at the weekend, I set them to 35 all round on Sunday, hated it (terrible ride behaviour), then have gone to 33 and it's much better, suspect 32 or 32.5 psi will end up being the norm. I've never owned a car so damn sensitive to tyre pressure !

I am running on 19" and I started off with 36 psi tyre pressure but tyres were wearing a lot on sides, it does not help that I am mostly using car on short local trips and around the town. In couple of months tyres had noticeably worn on the sides while the middle was like new. So I increased tyre pressure to 42 and this has evened out tyre wear.

[rs32]

Interesting to see you come from a long line of beemers - The D2 isnt noted for having some of the good characteristics that you find in a rear wheel drive motor, but at the same time, in England, it is useable all year round lol

didn't spot this when you replied before IT - I've hankered after a V8 something for a while now, this car would have been an E39 540i probably apart from the fact that the steering is awful on them and it felt dreary compared to the 530i. Plus I've kind of done the RWD thing now - maybe again in the future

regarding the useable all year round bit - the grippiest car I've ever owned (apart from my Mk5 R32) was in fact ....... the M3 CSL. Astonishing and more than comfortable keeping up with a well driven RS4 across 650 miles of Scottish roads driving a few years back. That CSL will stay with me for the rest of my life - incredible car. But if it snows ...... forget it

But onwards and upwards - I'm still smiling after pushing it a bit on the way home last night, haven't driven the car today but I have just fitted a new pair of 66240 Osram D2S (definitely fresher than the old ones and look like a better design) and the Aerotwin wipers (instant improvement and much smoother across the screen)

just had confirmation that rear calipers, fluid change, engine temp sensor & speed sensor are all being done next Wed at my trusted place (APS in Brackley)

[rs32]

well today I've asked the car to deliver a safe 320 miles round trip to North Wales and back ........ and it's been faultless.

Comfortable, fast when needed, economical for what it is and has been a real pleasure to drive.

A few things I'm starting to think need some tinkering with - definitely the tyres, that is in hand - but I'm looking at some Bilstein B6 to replace the OEM shocks and boy does this car need a Milltek cat-back !

I run the Bilsteins on my Golf and they are spot on with the OEM springs - hopefully this will also be the case on the S8.

However need sell my E39 first, then there is budget available to freshen the suspension and give the car a proper voice !

A quick question - would I be sensible to do front top-mounts if replacing the shocks all round ?

Also does anyone else get the drivers side plastic panel under the bonnet (closest to windscreen) rattling away ? Bloody annoying.

Oh and the wipers now actually work since fitting the aerotwin blades, but they are still terrible wonder if the motor is a bit tired but it's like the wipers are from another era

[notorious]

For wipers give yourself a favour and order Audi genuine SWF wipers. They are the best available. Audi part numbers: 4B0 955 425 and 4A0 955 425 B. Refresh wiper arms too if they are rusty, missing some elements or twisted. Wiper arms are still available from Audi. In future you can buy SWF rubbers which are very easy to change without any tools required. Rubbers are the same for right and left sides, part number 895 955 429 A.

>> Also does anyone else get the drivers side plastic panel under
>> the bonnet (closest to windscreen) rattling away

If you're talking about scuttle panel it should be normally very well attached. If you'll plan to replace wiper arms it will be easy to remove scuttle panel when wiper arms are out and inspect it. I personally never had a problem with it. Scuttle panel has rubber strip and should adjoin windscreen without gaps.

[rs32]

well after a couple of hours effort I cannot find the rattle so far. Had the panel off that covers the wiper motor on the drivers side, found that the lower windscreen trim wasn't properly fitted - fixed that but no joy with the rattle. It's not the cover panel itself as still does it with that off the car.

Then had the lower dash off below the steering wheel, whichever feckin monkey fitted a phone kit previously needs shooting as they broke half the fixings putting it back together and did a pretty poor job all round. So need to order some new bits at some stage to put that right. It really pees me off when "professional" fitters do this and the owners are probably none the wiser.

grrrrrr

[notorious]

I feel your pain. Real professionals are extremely rare.

Can't help with rattle. Rattles are deceptive. I can only say that usually rattle comes from completely different location than you expect. Try to cross check with passenger.